Sharks goaltender Alex Stalock stops a shot by Winnipeg's Andrew Ladd in the first period.

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

Sharks goaltender Alex Stalock stops a shot by Winnipeg's Andrew...

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SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 23: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks tries to skate around the back of the goal while defended by Keaton Ellerby #7 of the Winnipeg Jets and goalie Ondrej Pavelec #31 of the Winnipeg Jets at SAP Center on January 23, 2014 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Photo: Ezra Shaw, Getty Images

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 23: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks...

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San Jose Sharks' Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) is chased by Winnipeg Jets' James Wright (17) during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

San Jose Sharks' Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) is chased by Winnipeg...

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SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 23: Alex Stalock #32 of the San Jose Sharks dives to make a save during their game against the Winnipeg Jets at SAP Center on January 23, 2014 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Photo: Ezra Shaw, Getty Images

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 23: Alex Stalock #32 of the San Jose Sharks...

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Winnipeg Jets' Zach Bogosian (44) is chased by San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton (19) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Joe Pavelski - who else? - scored the game's only goal to break a scoreless tie in the third period as the Sharks beat the Winnipeg Jets 1-0 on Thursday at SAP Center.

Pavelski struck for his team-high 28th goal at even strength at 6:48 of the third period after a Winnipeg turnover. That's all backup goalie Alex Stalock needed as his 20 saves stood up for his second straight shutout.

On the goal, Justin Braun corralled Olli Jokinen's weak backhand flip at the right point. The Sharks defenseman skated toward the slot and sent a soft backhand effort that Pavelski tipped past Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec.

"He pulled it off the wall good, kind of cut the seam there," Pavelski said of Braun. "I got a little lucky to tip it."

Pavelski, who had a second-period power-play goal waved off, moved into second place in NHL goals behind Washington's Alexander Ovechkin (35). Pavelski leads the league with 19 goals in 21 games since Dec. 10 and has seven in the past four games to move within three of his career-high 31 in 2011-12.

"I'd been expecting to score for a while - sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't," Pavelski said.

"He's always around the net," Sharks captain Joe Thornton added. "That was a big goal. We needed this one tonight."

Winnipeg endured its first loss under coach Paul Maurice, who was 4-0 since replacing Claude Noel on Jan. 12. The Sharks won their fifth in a row.

"They're a quick team, play a puck possession-type game," Thornton said of the visitors. "When we did have a breakdown, Al was there for us, but to allow just nine shots the last two periods is pretty impressive."

The Sharks earned their only power play of the first two periods when Jokinen held Joe Thornton at 14:03. And it appeared the Sharks broke through when Pavelski punched home a rebound five seconds later. But the goal was denied as Thornton ended up on Pavelec. What officials failed to see is that the Sharks' captain was pushed by Jets defenseman Mark Stuart.

San Jose's one-shot power play was matched minutes later when the Jets managed one shot on goal after San Jose's Mike Brown charged Winnipeg's Jacob Truba into the end boards on a penalty that could have been more than a minor.

The Jets had the two best 5-on-5 chances late in the first period. Anticipating a cross-ice pass, Stalock stretched for an impressive right-pad save on Andrew Ladd at 18:40 following a Thornton turnover to Bryan Little.

"He was going to have to lunge for it so I didn't think he could get the shot high," Stalock said. "Felt good to take a scoring chance away from them."

And Stalock watched with 10 seconds left as Truba's backhand attempt at the right post slipped behind the goalie and out the other side instead of crossing the goal line.

"When he's in he gives us a chance to win," Thornton said of Stalock. "Two zeroes in a row is\n a pretty good feeling for him, I'm sure."

Briefly: Fourth-line right wing Brown returned after missing three games with a sore neck. ... Defenseman Scott Hannan (concussion) experienced a setback during Monday's skate and remains on injured reserve.